Life on the Line

#35 Mick Sasse

Alex Lloyd interviews Australian Army officer Mick Sasse. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Lieutenant Colonel Mick Sasse, currently serving in the Australian Army. Mick told Alex about his career and his family's military history, both Allied and German. Mick has deployed to East Timor and Afghanistan.

The Korean War with Michael Kelly

Angus Hordern speaks with Michael Kelly about the Korean War. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with Australian War Memorial historian Michael Kelly. He spoke about Australia's forgotten war - Korea.

Michael returned to the podcast for a follow-up chat on the Korean War in Korean War MIA with Michael Kelly, and again in the episode Panel - Australian Infantry Against the Odds.

#34 Antony Greatrex

Alex Lloyd interviews World War II veteran Antony Greatrex. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with World War II veteran Antony Greatrex. The RAAF veteran is the younger brother of the late Barney Greatrex, who our long-time podcast listeners will remember from Season 1. Barney had an epic war – a bomb aimer in Bomber Command, shot down, the only survivor of his Lancaster, eight months fighting with the French Resistance against the Germans, ending in a Legion of Honour in 2016 and a book in 2017. The memory of Antony’s war has always lived a bit in Barney’s shadow. Antony, along with half a million other Australians who put on a uniform, never went overseas to fight. He had a logistical support role – a high-frequency direction finder, or Huff-Duff operator. But after knowing the family some years, Antony invited Alex Lloyd to his home to finally go on the record about his World War II service. 

Reserve Forces Day 2018 with The Lancer Band

Alex Lloyd shares highlights from the Reserve Forces Day Parade 2018. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. For today’s bonus episode of Life on the Line, Alex Lloyd attended the Reserve Forces Day Parade - the 20th and final such parade in Sydney. This podcast is a mix of highlights from the parade, including performances by the Lancer Band.

Listen here to the full bonus musical episode with lead singer Elizabeth Smith and the Lancer Band. You can also click to listen to the 2018 ANZAC Day highlights, the 2017 Reserve Forces Day Parade highlights, and Angus Hordern's conversation with Frank Woodhams.

#33 Tracy Smart

Thomas Kaye interviews Tracy Smart, currently serving in the Royal Australian Air Force. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Air Vice-Marshal Tracy Smart AM, currently serving with the Royal Australian Air Force. Tracy has seen a variety of deployments, including the UN mission to Rwanda. Our thanks go to Defence Media for organising the interview.

Archive Interview - Don Caldwell Smith

Excerpts from FOR SCHOOL AND COUNTRY interview with World War II veteran Don Caldwell Smith. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is from our archive vault, an interview with World War II veteran Don Caldwell Smith.

#32 Peter Jones

Angus Hordern interviews Peter Jones, former Vice Admiral and veteran of the Arabian Gulf. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with a career navy man, Vice Admiral Peter Jones AO, DSC (Ret'd). Peter served for many years, including commanding the Maritime Interception Operations in the Arabian Gulf. He is now the President of the Australian Naval Institute and has launched the Australian Naval History Podcast.

The Commando’s Father with Doug Baird

Alex Lloyd speaks with Doug Baird, father of the late Cameron Baird VC, MG. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Alex Lloyd spoke with Doug Baird, father of the late Cameron Baird VC, MG. Cameron served in the 2nd Commando Regiment and was killed in action during his final tour of Afghanistan in 2013. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia. Doug spoke to Alex about his late son's life, death and legacy.

#31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol II

Sharon Mascall-Dare continues her interview with former 2nd Commando Regiment and SAS doctor, Dan Pronk. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is the second instalment of Sharon Mascall-Dare’s conversation with Dr Dan Pronk, a Special Forces doctor with the SAS and 2nd Commando Regiment. Dan partook in over 100 combat missions with Special Forces. His conversation with Sharon picks up after four tours of Afghanistan, where the reality of combat was taking hold.

Click here to listen to Volume I, before you hear this episode.

Dan later returned to the podcast in the episodes:

• Voodoo Medics with Mark Donaldson VC, Dr Dan Pronk and Kristin Shorten
• Lessons of a Combat Doctor with Dr Dan Pronk
• #107 Brett Wood
• SAS Resilience with Dr Dan Pronk, Ben Pronk and Tim Curtis

#31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol I

Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews Special Forces veteran Dr Dan Pronk. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Dr Dan Pronk, a former Special Forces soldier. Dan served with the regular army in East Timor before undertaking four tours of Afghanistan with Special Operations Units - the 2nd Commando Regiment and the Special Air Service Regiment. Dan spoke with Sharon Mascall-Dare about his journey to Special Forces, the trauma of combat and life as an elite soldier. This is the first instalment of a two-part episode.

Click here to listen to Volume II, after you've heard this episode.

Dan later returned to the podcast in the episodes:

• Voodoo Medics with Mark Donaldson VC, Dr Dan Pronk and Kristin Shorten
• Lessons of a Combat Doctor with Dr Dan Pronk
• #107 Brett Wood
• SAS Resilience with Dr Dan Pronk, Ben Pronk and Tim Curtis

My Father's Great War with Bevan Harris

Angus Hordern speaks with Bevan Harris, a World War II veteran. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with Bevan Harris. Bevan shared with Angus Hordern his father's experiences as a stretcher bearer in World War I, his own experiences in World War II, and those of his late school friend, David Boyall.

#30 Ross Tulloh and Ian Willoughby

Alex Lloyd interviews Vietnam veterans Ross Tulloh and Ian Willoughby. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with two Vietnam War veterans: 'tunnel rat' national serviceman Ross Tulloh, and signals officer Ian Willoughby.

Ross Tulloh

Ian Willoughby

Scottish Rifles with Frank Woodhams

Angus Hordern speaks with Frank Woodhams about the history and heritage of the Scottish Rifles. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with Frank Woodhams. Angus Hordern spoke to Frank about his longstanding association with the NSW Scottish Regiment, the history of the Scottish Rifles and the modern Reserves.